Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) therapy is a type of physical therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate the muscles. It is used to improve muscle strength, endurance, and function in patients with a variety of conditions, such as muscle weakness, paralysis, or muscle atrophy. NMES therapy involves the use of a device that delivers electrical impulses to the muscles through electrodes placed on the skin. The electrical impulses cause the muscle to contract, simulating a natural muscle contraction. The therapist can adjust the intensity, frequency, and duration of the electrical impulses to achieve the desired muscle contraction.
One of the main benefits of NMES therapy is that it can be used to improve muscle strength and function in patients who are unable to perform traditional exercises due to injury or weakness. For example, it can be used to help patients recovering from a stroke or spinal cord injury, who may have difficulty moving their limbs, to regain muscle strength and improve their mobility. Additionally, NMES therapy can also be used to help patients with muscle weakness or muscle atrophy caused by conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury.
Another benefit of NMES therapy is that it can help to improve muscle endurance. By repeatedly contracting the muscle, NMES therapy can help to improve the muscle’s ability to perform repetitive movements, such as those required for activities of daily living.
NMES therapy can also be used to improve muscle function. By stimulating the muscle, NMES therapy can help to improve coordination and balance, which can be beneficial for patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy.
NMES therapy is a non-invasive, safe and well-tolerated treatment option. However, as with any treatment, there can be potential side effects. Some patients may experience skin irritation or discomfort where the electrodes are placed, or muscle soreness or fatigue after the therapy. Additionally, NMES therapy may not be suitable for some patients, such as those with certain heart conditions or pacemakers. It is important to consult with a medical professional before starting NMES therapy.
NMES therapy can be used in conjunction with other forms of physical therapy and rehabilitation. For example, it can be used to help patients recover from a stroke or spinal cord injury by improving muscle strength and function, and then used in conjunction with traditional exercises to improve mobility and coordination.
Treating Fibromyalgia With TENS Electrical Stimulation
Fibromyalgia is a common disease with people subjected under sleep deficiency, stress, with insufficient Dopamine and Serotonin, lack of efficient quantities of Growth Hormone (GH), psychological disorders or physical trauma and neuro-immune abnormalities. In general the symptoms include pain in muscles and joint stiffness, abnormal function of the bowel and the bladder, difficulties with sleeping or curtain area could become numb or tight. The ratio female/male is 9:1.
Thirty adults with Fibromyalgia from different age were subjected in a study research in Denmark where an TENS (transcutaneous electrical stimulation) therapy was conducted. The treatment concluded with 30 minutes sessions over the period of five weeks with the duration of two treatments per week.
These subject showed different levels and areas of effect from Fibromyalgia. In addition their brain indicated structural and behavioral differences from those of healthy individuals, but it is unclear whether the brain anomalies cause fibromyalgia symptoms or are the product of an unknown underlying common cause.
Effectively, after the therapy the subjects experienced minimized depression due to the stimulation of the endorphins, no anxiety and lower cortisol levels. The number of sleepless nights diminished rapidly during the therapy. In addition, they enjoyed better metabolism and improved functions of the bladder and bowel. Different subjects in this study showed a different levels of Serotonin much higher and the same was noticed with the Dopamine comparing with levels before the treatment. TENS electrical units could vary in size and capabilities. Until recently they were not available on the market for the general public but this changed. Their price could vary from $30 to $240 according to the variety of programs and functions a unit could offer. Despite whether a person with Fibromyalgia should decide to purchase one he/she should always consult a physician for variety of reasons. One would be to select the right wave frequency and power of the current. Another could be to select the right program for the right spot of the body where the therapy should be implemented. Most important, the consultation would be to asses the precise symptoms of the Fibromyalgia and the reason for it.
The benefit of applying electrical therapy is unquestionable. The question is how precisely to apply it. Fibromyalgia is complex disease that requires thorough assessment and guidance from a health care professional. Once this assessment is done the relief of this tedious and painful disorder could be a past in a month including the chronic cases.
How Electrical Stimulation Closes the Gate on Your Pain
Have you ever stubbed your toe and then rubbed it to help ease the pain? If you have, you’ve demonstrated the concept of the Gate Theory. The Gate Theory states that your brain can only interpret one sensation at a time coming from a particular body part. So by rubbing your toe you’re intercepting the pain stimulus with the sensation of rubbing. It’s this same theory that’s put to use when we use electrical stimulation, or stim, as part of your treatment routine. We attach two pads near the muscle, joint or tendon where you’re feeling pain. The pads produce an electrical current that sends a tingling sensation to the brain, temporarily relieving your pain.
Don’t leave with more pain than you came in with
Most times we’ll use stim at the end of your treatment. Since we’re working on tissue or muscles that are injured, we don’t want you to leave with more pain than you came in with. So we set you up with stim and ice so you can leave feeling less pain. The ice reduces any swelling while the stim works on the pain.
But what if you come to the office in pain?
Let’s say you have a back injury and performing your exercise routine proves too painful. This is a situation where we may put you on stim before your treatment. After having an stim session the pain is lessened to a degree that you’re able to do exercises to help strengthen and improve your condition. These are exercises you wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.
This is why stim is a nice adjunct to therapy
It’s important to note that stim is just a temporary fix. It should only be used as a part of a full course of treatment. It helps alleviate pain so you can function properly to do the exercises and treatments that help you achieve desirable results.
There are some times you wouldn’t want to use stim
You wouldn’t want to use it if you had a pacemaker, or on big blood centers to the brain like an artery. Never on the eyes or over the belly of a pregnant woman. When it comes to spinal injuries the pads should be placed on the side of the spine not directly on it because it could negatively affect the spinal fluid.
Here’s what you should remember:
• Stim temporarily relieves pain so you can perform your daily activities and exercises to improve your condition
• Stim should be used in conjunction with full treatment. Without treatment you will not improve your condition
Now you know why we use stim as part of your treatment routine. It helps us take care of those injuries a bit more serious than a stubbed toe. And helps close the gate on pain so you can move forward to recovery.
Things You Didn’t Know About Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation is a unique surgical treatment process which involves the planting of a medical device known as brain pacemaker into the human brain. The device sends lots of electrical signals to the specific brain section where it’s implanted.
Really, DBS is known for having three major components namely, pulse generator which is implanted, the extension and the lead. The implanted pulse generator is powered by a neuro-stimulator titanium enclosure working with battery. It normally sends out electrical impulses to the brain when powered. These impulses will then interfere with the neural activity going on at the targeted part of the brain. The lead showcases as a wire coil which is insulated with unique elements. It’s usually placed in the targeted area of the brain. The extension connects the pulse generator with the lead. These three components work together to produce the desired result.
Actually, DBS has been proven to have lots of therapeutic effects in the lives of individuals where it is used. The major therapeutic benefit about the technology is seen in the way it has helped in treating various illnesses. Chronic pain is one of the illnesses which the technology can handle. When you go through the process according to instructions, you can be sure of being free from any kind of pain you may be having. In the recent times, Deep Brain Stimulation has also been very helpful in dealing with Parkinson’s disease. This is usually a very dangerous disease of the nervous system which is normally characterized by impaired muscular coordination and tremor.
With the DBS technology, such a disease can effectively be treated. Again, the technology also helps a lot in treating dystonia and tremors especially when used in the right manner under a medical supervision. Meanwhile, other necessary therapeutic benefits of the DBS are also seen in its impact on brain activity. It helps a lot in controlling the various activities going on in the human brain. It’s actually a modern neurosurgical method that allows lots of processes especially when it comes to improving the human brain. In most cases, people who benefit from the Deep Brain Stimulation technology are usually patients suffering from tremors, dystonia or Parkinson disease. Even the FDA has actually approved the technique as a vital means of dealing with such diseases.